Group stage draw reaction

'We aim to make the last 16 - no question'

Created on 27-08-2015 at 19:15 PM

Arsenal, Olympiacos, Dinamo Zagreb. “We want to master this group, we want to get through to the last 16 – no question,” declared sporting director Matthias Sammer after the Champions League group stage draw on Thursday evening, “but we have to approach the task with seriousness and respect.” Jérôme Boateng is looking forward to the clash with Mesut Özil and Per Mertesacker in particular: “Arsenal is a great club and we’ve usually done well in London.”

Reaction to the group stage draw

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: “We can be happy with the draw, but we’ll have to focus and play well from the first match onwards.”

Matthias Sammer: “We want to master this group, we want to get through to the last 16 – no question. But we have to approach this task with seriousness and respect.”

Philipp Lahm: “It's nice that we’re playing Arsenal with two old friends from the Germany squad, Per Mertesacker and Mesut Özil. We're in for thrilling away matches with a great atmosphere in Zagreb, in Piraeus and also in London. It's going to be very exciting. But we're the favourites in this group and we want to be in the Round of 16 again.”

Manuel Neuer: “We've often encountered Arsenal in the Champions League. I don't know the other two teams quite as well, I haven’t played against Olympiacos or Zagreb yet. But both were strong in the qualifiers and we have to take them very seriously. But it's clear: FC Bayern have to go for top spot in this group.”

Thomas Müller: “Without doubt it's a strong group and we have to take all our opponents seriously. There will be a great atmosphere in London in particular, but the other two teams have their strengths as well. But our goal is of course to qualify for the last 16.”

Jérôme Boateng: “It could have been worse. It's an interesting group. I'm looking forward to the duel with Mesut and Per. Arsenal are a great club and we’ve usually done well in London. But the other clubs are good opponents too. In Piraeus we'll play in a cauldron, Zagreb will be a new experience. If we’re confident, I won't be worried.”

Xabi Alonso: “We'll have to face all three teams in our group with due respect if we’re to get through to the last 16. Bayern know Arsenal quite well from many matches in the last few years, I played against Dinamo Zagreb with Real Madrid and against Olympiacos with Liverpool. The away games in particular will be thrilling clashes, the fans there are very emotional. We're the favourites in this group and we'll do everything we can to get through to the knockout stages.”